Antonelli Overcomes Nerves for P6 Start, Breaks Monza 'Curse'

Andrea Kimi Antonelli secured a P6 starting position for the Italian Grand Prix, successfully breaking his self-proclaimed 'Monza curse' despite initial nerves. The 19-year-old Mercedes junior driver qualified seventh but will be promoted to sixth after Lewis Hamilton's grid penalty.

Why it matters

Antonelli's strong qualifying performance at Monza marks a significant step for the young driver, especially after a challenging history at the circuit. Overcoming previous incidents and self-doubt demonstrates his growing maturity and ability to perform under pressure, boosting his prospects for a potential future F1 seat.

The big picture

Monza has been a difficult track for Antonelli. Last year, he crashed at the dangerous Parabolica corner during FP1, an incident that technical director James Allison suggested might have made him approach race weekends with caution. This year, his FP2 session also saw him beach his W16, bringing out red flags, which amplified his pre-qualifying tension.

The details

• Initial Nerves: Antonelli admitted to feeling "very tense" and "very nervous" going into qualifying, especially after losing momentum in FP2.
• Building Momentum: Despite the shaky start, he was pleased with how he "built the run throughout the session."
• Close Call: On his final lap, Antonelli tried a different tyre temperature strategy, which caused him to struggle in the first part of the lap, particularly with rear instability. He lamented losing time in the first two chicanes, despite a strong final sector.
• Overcoming the Curse: He emphatically stated that he felt he had "definitely" broken the Monza curse, feeling happy with his performance in the crucial final sector.
• Embracing the Crowd: Antonelli expressed feeling "much more at ease" and has been embracing the support from the crowd, eagerly anticipating Sunday's race.

What's next

Antonelli is optimistic about his race pace for tomorrow's Grand Prix and aims to put on a strong fight. His ability to recover and perform under pressure will be key as he looks to convert his impressive qualifying result into valuable points.